Confused and disappointing; Leonards EC1 is difficult to find, grotty and the muddled style is a weird combination of dated '70s decor, semi-hip furnishings and interesting, yet considerably lost, morsels of abstract design.

The Venue
Leonards EC1 has the potential to be good but the juxtaposition of eras and styles provides a rather confused, unkempt look.

The building is slightly old village hall in style with high windows, wood clad walls and an overabundance of plasterboard. Large plush leather sofas dominate the ground floor in an awkward layout, cluttering the already tight floor space. Combined with the DIY block wood tables and salmon pink wood-clad walls, the modern sofas look out of place. The stage is ideally located at the back of the room, as is the long bar to the side. The spiral staircase leading to both the upper and lower floors is well positioned in the corner of the room, and the exposed brick wall is an impressively modern and quirky addition, if somewhat out of place with the panelled room.

The Atmosphere
Laid back and chilled would seem to be the ambience that Leonards EC1 is going for. The staff are friendly and funky and there's an events calendar filled with a variety of different music-based nights ranging from Open Mic to DJs and heavy rock. The clientele consists of a a few suited after work drinkers but mostly casual muso types.

Unfortunately, the Feng Shui of the venue is all wrong and the disorganised and cluttered layout can’t help but leave you feeing on edge and uncomfortable.

The Drink
The bar at Leonards EC1 is well stocked with a good selection of beers on tap, but Staropramen is probably the most exotic. The Guinness is cheap in comparison. The bottled beers show more experimentation with Peroni and Bodvar and the ales are represented best here through Newcastle Brown Ale and Old Peculiar. Bottled Bulmers and Strongbow on tap are the cider choices and wine is limited, but the rose was especially pleasant for a pub wine.

The Last Word
Probably not London’s best bar or music venue, with commitment and determination - plus a rethink of the interior - Leonards EC1 could make a name for itself.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (4)